10 years later, man who killed 4 still pays

10 years later, lingering effects

Randall Visor -- who 10 years ago drove drunk through Aurora and killed four people, including three Waubonsie Valley High School students -- had his jailtime doubled Wednesday for driving without a license in 2006.

But a judge ruled the 38-year-old Batavia man will be allowed to leave for 10 hours a day Monday through Friday to work second shift at a Caterpillar plant in Montgomery.

Kane County Judge William Weir originally sentenced Visor last month to 364 days in jail, buthe was eligible for day-per-day credit, meaning he would be behind bars about six months.

With Wednesday's ruling, Visorwill spend 364 days at the Kane County jail, but he can keep his job and health insurance for his two kids,12 and 4. A third child is due in January.

"Your horrific lack of judgment and self-indulgent lifestyle has resulted in the past deaths of four young people. It now jeopardizes your children," Weir said, stressing the new sentence was not in deference to Visor, but to his children and the victims of the Oct. 17, 1997, crash to whom he still owes $18,621 for funeral expenses.

Weir chastised Visor for spending $800 a month for a $40,000 sport utility vehicle while failing to make a monthly restitution payment for the last year.

"I suggest to you, sir, you have a long way to go before this court is convinced you'll follow the law," Weir told Visor, who was dressed in an orange jumpsuit after surrendering to authorities Friday. "This county and court is going to be more compassionate to you than you were to your victims."

Visor was convicted in 1998of running a red light in Aurora while drunk and causing the crash that killed students Jenni Linn Anderson, Allison Matzdorf and Jennifer Roberts, and Visor's passenger, Ana Pryor. He was released from prison in November 2002.

Shelly Anderson, Jenni Linn's father, said he was "extremely happy" with the new sentence and the stern words offered by Weir.

"I think (Visor) has to learn not to disobey the law," Anderson said.

Wednesday's hearing came on the 10th anniversary of the fatal crash. Each year, relatives of the victims gather at Eola Road and New York Street in the early morning.

"It never goes away. As (parent) Pat Matzdorf said, '10 years makes it even worse,' " Anderson said.

Visor and his attorney, Matt Downs, argued the March 2006 incident in Batavia was a one-time mistake. His girlfriend normally drove him to work, but she wasn't feeling well, so Visor drove and she was in the passenger seat.

Ernest Visor, a retired Aurora man, has pledged to drive his son to and from work each day for the next year. He declined comment after the hearing.

"The defendant, knowing he was facing a possible jail sentence (when he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of driving without a license earlier this year), chose to father another child," said Assistant State's Attorney Steve Sims, who opposed Visor's re-sentencing. "He is now asking the court to use that in his favor."

Pat Larson, director of victim services with the Schaumburg-based Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists, said she had no objections to Visor's newer, longer sentence.

"This way, he has to do the whole year," Larson said. "He snubbed his nose at the law. Your behavior is the indicator of remorse. He has no idea of how he has affected so many lives. He's too selfish to realize the pain he's inflicted."

Linda Martin is the executive director of Aurora-based RITAS, or Restoring Inmates To America's Society, which worked with Visor on a new start in life.

She credited Weir for striking a balance between punishing Visor and allowing him to provide for his family and repay the victims.

"Good jobs are hard to come by," Martin said. "(Visor) really needs to consider himself lucky on this one. This way he'll be able to take care of his kids and still pay the victims. Otherwise, he's starting from square one."